Frogspawn Coral.

About Frogspawn Coral

Frogspawn Coral (Euphyllia divisa) is a large-polyp stony (LPS) coral - skeletal, fleshier than SPS, generally more forgiving of imperfect parameters, and a strong choice for intermediate reef-keepers. The species sits within a recognized hobby category and is sold both as wild-collected specimens (where legal) and as aquacultured frags from coral farms like ORA, Tidal Gardens, World Wide Corals, Battle Corals, and Jason Fox Signature Corals.

LPS coral typically extends fleshy polyps during the day and retracts them when stressed or fed. The retraction is the easiest health indicator a hobbyist has - a healthy LPS extends fully under target light, retracts when handled, and re-extends within an hour of being left alone.

Reef parameters and chemistry

The Frogspawn Coral requires the parameters that all SPS-dominant or mixed reef tanks target. The numbers below are the husbandry floor - hitting these consistently is more important than hitting them perfectly.

• Temperature: 76-80°F
• Specific gravity: 1.025-1.026
• Alkalinity: 7.5-9.5 dKH (consistency matters more than the absolute number; pick a target and hold within 0.3 dKH)
• Calcium: 420-450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1300-1450 ppm
• Nitrate: 1-10 ppm (ULNS systems run lower; some color is lost at <1 ppm)
• Phosphate: 0.03-0.10 ppm (zero phosphate stunts growth and pales colors)

For LPS and soft coral, alkalinity stability is still important but the species is more forgiving than SPS. Two-part dosing once daily is sufficient for most LPS and soft systems.

Lighting (PAR and spectrum)

Frogspawn Coral requires moderate PAR - target 100-200 micromoles at the placement. LPS often colors up under heavier blue spectrum; aim for at least 50% blue (420-460nm) at peak with white channels supplementing for visual clarity. Avoid placing LPS within 8 inches of high-output point-source LEDs; the light intensity at that distance can bleach the tissue. Photoperiod should be 8-10 hours of full output with 30-minute ramp-up and ramp-down on either end. Avoid running peak intensity for more than 6 hours - longer photoperiods produce more algae growth than coral growth.

Flow and placement

Frogspawn Coral prefers moderate flow - 10-20x tank volume per hour - with NO direct laminar flow on the polyps. Flow-burned LPS will retract permanently and slowly recede. Random/wave flow patterns work better than fixed flow for LPS placement.

Placement in the tank

Place LPS in the middle to lower third of the tank where light is moderate and flow is gentler. LPS frags can be moved within reason during initial placement, but once a colony has extended fully and is feeding, move it only if absolutely necessary.

Feeding

LPS is mixotrophic - it photosynthesizes for energy AND captures food particles for growth. Target-feeding with a turkey baster or coral-feeding tool 2-3 times per week with mysis, frozen brine, oyster eggs, or reef roids accelerates growth dramatically. Many LPS species (acanthastrea, lobophyllia, scolymia) will visibly extend feeder tentacles when food enters the water.

Fragging

LPS fragging varies by species. Hammer, torch, and frogspawn (Euphyllia) frag by cutting through the corallite branch with a bone saw, leaving 1-2 inches of branch and the polyp head intact. Acanthastrea and lobophyllia frag by cutting the skeleton with a coral saw to separate individual polyp heads (lordhowensis cuts cleanly, hemprichii is harder). Always cut on a tile or off-system to avoid coral mucus and tissue debris contaminating the display.

Where to buy a Frogspawn Coral

Fast Aquatics connects you to vetted vendors of the Frogspawn Coral across all 50 US states. Every listing on Fast Aquatics ships overnight via FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day Air. Climate-aware shipping holds the order if forecasted temperatures at your ZIP exceed safe thresholds. The 4-hour DOA window starts at carrier-reported delivery, with photo-evidence-based claim filing and Fast Aquatics mediation when needed. An optional Tiered Living Guarantee (1mo / 3mo / 6mo / 12mo) extends coverage well beyond the standard arrival-state protection.

Frequently asked questions